# Chapter XVIII explained — The Way of All Flesh

> Chapter companion for The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler.

## What happens

Theobald receives a congratulatory letter from his father, George Pontifex, who announces his intention to be godfather to the newborn boy and brings a phial of water from the Jordan for the christening. The family gathers for the baptism, where the boy is named Ernest over Theobald's objection. The narrator, Overton, serves as second godfather and reconnects with Alethea Pontifex, whom he admires deeply. At the christening dinner, George Pontifex loses his temper over a lobster sauce made with a hen lobster instead of a cock, but recovers and tells stories. Later, Overton visits and finds George Pontifex ill and irritable.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy of Victorian Morality

George Pontifex presents a benevolent, pious facade but reveals petty anger over a culinary mistake, exposing the gap between his moral posturing and true character.

### Heredity and Environment

The chapter emphasizes the influence of family and naming (Ernest) on the child's future, as well as the inherited temper and expectations from George Pontifex.

## Character check-ins

### Theobald Pontifex

Receives his father's approval and letter; proposes naming his son George but is overruled.

### George Pontifex

Writes a cordial letter, brings Jordan water for the christening, insists on the name Ernest, and loses his temper over the lobster sauce.

### Alethea Pontifex

Attends as godmother; described as the flower of the family; Overton's close friend and unrequited love.

### Christina Pontifex

Hosts the christening dinner; is hissed at by her father-in-law over the lobster sauce.

### Ernest Pontifex

The infant being christened; named Ernest by his grandfather.

### Mr. Overton

Narrator and second godfather; reconnects with Alethea; reflects on his feelings for her.

## Key lines

> The word 'earnest' was just beginning to come into fashion, and he thought the possession of such a name might, like his having been baptised in water from the Jordan, have a permanent effect upon the boy's character, and influence him for good during the more critical periods of his life.

George believed that naming the boy 'Ernest' would shape his moral character, just as using holy water might bless his future.

_Reflects the Victorian belief in the power of names and rituals to determine a child's destiny._

> It was not made with a hen lobster. What's the use of my calling the boy Ernest, and getting him christened in water from the Jordan, if his own father does not know a cock from a hen lobster?

George angrily scolds Theobald for using a female lobster in the sauce, sarcastically questioning the value of his pious efforts if his son lacks basic culinary knowledge.

_Highlights the absurdity of George's priorities and his hypocritical blend of piety and petty irritation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters/xviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_way_of_all_flesh_se/chapters